WB funds China to identify contamination

Beijing (VNA) - The World Bank (WB) has earmarked 1 million USD to help China assess possible chemical contamination in quake-ravaged Sichuan province, Xinhua news agency reported on July 9.

The money, from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), would finance an environment programme in the five worst-hit counties in Sichuan, including Wenchuan, Beichuan and Pingwu.

The programme, conducted by the Ministry of Environment Protection and Sichuan provincial environment protection bureau, aims to identify possible contamination from shattered chemical plants, waste landfill sites and treatment centers for harmful chemical and industrial waste in the quake regions.

It will also provide training to help the public against possible hazards, Xinhua said.-